This article has been updated.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 25) — A US Navy helicopter carrying five people fell into the Philippine Sea, the agency said Friday.
A report from the US Navy 7th Fleet’s website detailed that the aircraft named MH-60 went down while conducting “routine operations” over the Philippine Sea.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana later confirmed the incident, saying it occurred 80 kilometers from Okinawa, Japan.
“All 5 persons aboard have been rescued,” he added.
Lorenzana said the US government did not reach out to him for help in looking for the passengers. The US Navy said the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Japanese Coast Guard, USS America (LHA 6), USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and U.S. Air Force took part in the search and rescue operations.
The three survivors who were rescued first were brought to Naval Hospital Okinawa, while the other two were returned to command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), the US navy said.
